TALKING CALCULATER

DIPLOMA IN ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

NAME NUMBER ID
ISWERYA RAMAIYA 08DEU16F1083
WAN NUR SYAHIRAH
MOHD GHAZALI 08DEU16F1020
NURSYAHIRAH OTHMAN 08DEU16F1009
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3
1.1: Project introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 History ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Problem statement ................................................................................................................................. 6
1.4 Project Objective ..................................................................................................................................... 6
1.5 Research questions ................................................................................................................................. 6
1.6 Project scope........................................................................................................................................... 6
1.7 Importance of research........................................................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................................................... 7
2.1ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................................. 7
2.2BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .......................................................................................................... 7
2.3OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION......................................................................................... 7
Chapter 3: METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................ 16
QUESTIONNAIRE ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1: Project introduction

A calculator is a device that performs arithmetic operations on numbers. The
simplest calculators can do only addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
More sophisticated calculators can handle exponential operations, roots, logarithm
s, trigonometric functions, and hyperbolic functions. Internally, some calculators
actually perform all of these functions by repeated processes of addition.
The talking calculator has a built-in speech synthesizer that reads aloud each
number, symbol, or operation key a user presses. It also vocalizes the answer to the
problem. This auditory feedback may help check the accuracy of the keys pressed
and verify the answers. The calculator is packed with great features.
Its large LCD readout with big high numbers makes it easy for those with
low vision to read. Our calculator speaks each entry, basic functions and results to
ensure accuracy. You'll know immediately if you've hit a wrong key. All entries
are reported in "units" or "digits". Very easy to use!! Those who are visually
impaired Students struggling with math Learning disabled students who require
calculators during testing based on their IEP requirements.
1.2 History
The first mechanical calculator appeared in 1642, the creations of French
intellectual and mathematics whizz kid Blaise Pascal as “a device that will
eventually perform all four arithmetic operations without relying on human
intelligence.”
Pascal's machine used geared wheels and could add and subtract two
numbers directly and multiply and divide by repetition. Gottfried Leibniz then
spent the best part of his life designing a four-operation mechanical calculator,
based on his ingenious slotted ‘Leibniz wheel,’ but ultimately failing to produce a
fully operational machine.

The Arithmometer: Soldiered on till 1915

That had to wait until 1820 and the patenting in France of Thomas de
Colmar’s four function Arithmometer.
This first commercially viable counting machine was manufactured from
1851 to 1915 and copied by around 20 companies across Europe.
By then, the main tide of innovation had moved across the Atlantic, with
the development of hand cranked adding machines like the Grant Mechanical
Calculating Machine of 1877 and, more famously the P100 Burroughs Adding
Machine developed by William Seward Burroughs in 1886.
This was the first in a line of office calculating machines that made the
Burroughs family fortune and enabled the son, William S. Burroughs, to pursue a
career consuming hallucinogenic drugs and writing subversive novels like ‘The
Naked Lunch’.

The Comptometer: Press key calculating at last

A further step forward occurred in 1887 when Dorr. E. Felt’s US-patented
key driven ‘Comptometer’ took calculating into the push button age. This
machine, too, spurred a host of imitators.
The Curta calculator, which first appeared in 1948, was perhaps the
ultimate expression of the mechanical calculator, so compact that it could,
somewhat lumpily, fit into a pocket and capable of addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division.
Machines like this ensured that mechanical calculators dominated 20th
century office life all the way through to the late 1960s. By then, electronics were
beginning to take over, as we shall see in the next part of this series.
1.3 Problem statement
The popularity and usefulness of scientific calculator has posed a challenge for students
who are visually impaired and blinds since advanced models used in classrooms have not
been accessible
The visually impaired and blind students have difficulty to access their mathematics
syllabus which are included using calculator
The barriers for the visually impaired and blind students with teachers and parents in
study and review mathematics.

1.4 Project Objective

To build the scientific calculator that make simple calculating tasks more convenient and
efficiently to visually impaired people who cannot easily read a standard display
To perform feasibility testing of the product among the targeted users.

1.5 Research questions

In what aspect the project is consider as low cost.
How its helps blind users

1.6 Project scope

Blind and visually impaired users
Scientific calculator users

1.7 Importance of research

The importance of this project is to produce a low cost talking calculator which can help
the blind persons to use calculator easily. Other than to produce a new design talking
scientific calculator which not yet invent in Malaysia.
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1ABSTRACT
An audible output device useful in timepiece or calculator devices, features a pre-stored
and preselected order of digital codes representing speech words and pauses, to be outputted
through gate circuitry responsive to the pause codes.

2.2BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an audible output device implemented with solid state
electronics and more particularly to a new control for establishing one or more audible output
pause time slots (or silence slots) in the middle of the delivery of an audible output.
There has been a great trend to develop talking calculators, talking timepieces and the
like, the talking calculators being generally adapted to provide numerical information such as
key entries and calculation results as well as warning of error in the form of audible sounds and
the talking timepieces being adapted to announce the real-time in audible sounds. For example,
when electronic type talking timepiece provides an audible display of "tadaima kara 5 ji 25 fun
wo oshirase shimasu"(its English version is "this is to announce that it is now 5:25"), it is
necessary to locate a predetermined length of pause slots between "tadaima"and "kara", "kara"
and "5 ji" and so forth.

2.3OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a control appropriate to an
audible output device implemented with solid state electronics for locating a desired number of
pause or silent slots of time in the course of the delivery of audible messages of time. A main
feature of the present invention resides in that pause codes are set up to locate these pause or
silent slots during the delivery of a full-length audible message of updated time, the pause codes
being capable of being handled in a similar manner to linguistic information codes indicative of
words to be audibly displayed (e.g., "tadaima", "kara", "go", "ji", etc.). More particularly, an
audible output device according to the present invention comprises a store means for storing the
linguistic information codes indicative of words to be audibly displayed, a first control means for
fetching the linguistic information codes in preselected order from the store means, an audible
output means responsive to the first control means for delivering audible words in accordance
with the linguistic information codes fetched from the store means, and a second control means
operatively associated with the pause codes for allowing the pause codes to be stored within the
store means together with the linguistic information codes and fetching the linguistic information
codes and the pause codes from the store means in the preselected order of the words to be
audibly displayed and the audible output pause time slots, and an audible output inhibition means
responsive to the pause codes from the store means for disabling the audible output means for a
desired length of time. Audible messages delivered from the audible output device are made as
natural as every-day conversation because of varying lengths of the pauses as decided by the
presence of the pause codes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further objects and
advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic diagrams showing a principal configuration of a talking
timepiece embodying the present invention;

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are an example of information contained within an audible output
information storage of the talking timepiece shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b); and

FIG. 3 shows the contents of a sound quantizing information storage in the above illustrated
talking timepiece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), there is illustrated schematic block diagrams showing a
principal configuration of a talking timepiece embodying the present invention.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, linguistic information codes

indicative of words to be audibly displayed (for example, "tadaima", "kara", "go", "ji", "ni",
"jyu", "go", "fun", "wo", "oshirase", "shimasu", etc.) and pause codes necessary for the
establishment of pause or silent slots are stored within an audible output information storage on
the order in which the linguistic information codes and the pause codes should be delivered in
sequence. In reply to the linguistic information codes and the pause codes, its corresponding
audible outputs with desired pause periods or slots are delivered.
 Each of the linguistic information codes and the pause codes is 8-bit long and the latter
comprises a first half portion (upper 4 bits) indicative of the pause codes itself and a second half
portion (lower 4 bits) indicative of the length of the pause periods. In other words, according to
the above embodiment, the length of the respective pause periods is variable by modifying the
contents of the second half portion of the pause codes.

An audible output storage 1 of FIG. 1(a) stores the linguistic information codes and the
pause codes on the order in which they are outputted therefrom. The storage 1 may be
implemented with either a read only memory where information is contained in a fixed manner
or a read write memory where audible output information may be introduced therein by the use
of a discrete control device whenever time to announce is approached. The above illustrated uses
the latter. An example of information contained within the audible output storage 1 is depicted in
FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) wherein PA1 to PA5 represent the pause codes. As described above, the
pause codes each comprises the first half portion ("1100" in the more significant 4 bits)
indicative of the pause code itself and the second half portion ("0001", "0011", "0100", "0101",
etc, in the less significant 4 bits) indicative of the length of the pause periods. Provided that P1 is
the pause code indicative of the pause period of 200 m/sec long, PA3, PA4 and PA5 will be
those indicative of the pause periods of 600 m/sec, 800 m/sec and 1 sec long. The initial address
of the storage 1 is labeled Ai and the final address Af. In the illustrated example, the linguistic
information code and the pause codes are stored in an address region beginning with the initial
address Ai and ending with a specific intermediate address Am, while the remaining address
region from Am+1 up to Af is blank (that is, "00000000").

The audible output storage 1 has its peripheral circuits such as an address counter 2 and
an address decoder 3. A switching device 4 for indicating that the delivery of audible outputs is
to start is turned on in response to an audible output start signal and the like, loading the address
counter 2 with the initial address and supplying an adder 5 with a start instruction signal. Upon
receipt of the start instruction signal the adder 5 increments one the address counter 2 whenever
an end signal S2 is derived from an audible output control and an audible output pause control as
will be discussed later, the end signal being developed when the delivery of the audible
information outputs or the pause periods are completed. Each time the signal S2 is developed the
address of the output storage 1 is incremented step by step. An output buffer 6 temporarily stores
the linguistic information codes and the pause codes derived from the audible output storage 1 in
response to the address specified by the address counter 2. The audible output control for
allowing corresponding linguistic outputs to be delivered in sequence according to the contents
output sequentially to the output buffer 6 is illustrated in FIG. 1(b) as well as the audible output
pause control for prohibiting the audible outputs from being delivered in response to the pause
codes outputted from the output buffer 6.

A sound quantizing information storage (read only memory) 7 is adapted to make verbal
words corresponding to the linguistic information codes audible to human beings. In order to
display a word in the form of audible sounds, it is necessary to provide a plurality of pieces of
the sound quantizing information VQC. A first region A for storing the pieces of the sound
quantizing information VQC on the order in which these pieces are to be delivered and a second
region B for storing an end code located at a step following the final step of the first region A
form an information storage region for the audible voice delivery relating one word (see FIG. 3).
The sound quantizing information storage 7 has an address counter 8 and an address decoder 9.
A codes converter 10 provides an address selection signal (specifying the leading step of the
region where information is stored for displaying words corresponding to the linguistic
information codes output via the output buffer 6 in the form of audible sounds and particularly
synthesized voices) for the address counter 8 and a reset signal GR for a flip-flop 11 under the
direction of a signal S1 developed from the output buffer 6 of the audible output information
storage 1 when the signal S1 is one of the linguistic information codes. The situation when the
signal S1 is the pause codes or the blank codes "00000000" will be described later. When the
address selection signal from the code converter 10 is applied to the address counter 81 the
address counter 8 is decremented by "1" at an appropriate interval of time. The decrementing of
the address counter 8 is accomplished by a subtractor 12. Accordingly, when the address counter
8 receives the address selection signal, the sound quantizing information is derived in sequence
beginning with the second leading step specified by the address selection signal. An output gate
circuit 13 is provided for the sound quantizing information storage 7 and adapted to be turned on
when the flip-flop 11 is in the reset state (in other words, when the information applied to the
code converter 10 is one of the linguistic information codes). A digital-to-analog converter 14
converts the sound quantizing information supplied via the output gate circuit 13 into
corresponding analog signals. A low-pass filter 15 receives the output of the digital-to-analog
converter 14 and passes only its low frequency components. A speaker driver 16 receives the
output from the low-pass filter 15 and drives a loud speaker 17 for the delivery of audible
outputs.

The reason why the low-pass filter 15 is provided is that, when the analog output
converted from the sound quantizing information is stepwise, this will cause noisy or harsh
sounds due to its high frequency components as long as the analog output is applied directly to
the loud speaker 17.

An end code detector 18 senses the end code from the sound quantizing information
storage 7 and develops the end signal S2. The end signal S2, as described previously, is supplied
to the adder 5 to increment the address counter 2 of the audible output storage 1 by one and is
also supplied to the reset circuit 19 for resetting the address counter 8, thus terminating the
delivery of the audible sounds. With the address counter 8 in the reset state, the sound quantizing
information storage 7 is neither addressed nor does the subtractor 12 operate for decrementing
operation. With such an arrangement, the audible sounds indicative of selected words are
delivered according to the linguistic information storage codes from the audible output storage 1.

In the case where the information derived from the audible output storage 1 is in
agreement with the pause codes, the length of the pause periods where the audible outputs are
prohibited is determined in the following manner. When the output signal S1 from the output
buffer 6 of the audible output storage 1 is in the pause codes, the code converter 10 supplies the
set signal GS to the flip-flop 11. The output gate circuit 13 of the sound quantizing information
storage 7 is closed to inhibit the transmission of the sound quantizing information therefrom. The
code converter 10 decodes the lower 4 bits (specifying the length of the pause periods) of the
pause codes into its corresponding codes which in turn are supplied to the address counter 8 for
decrementing the same by one. The information stored at the address of the sound quantizing
informatin storage 7 as specified by the count of the address counter 8 is sequentially derived.
However, since the output gate circuit 13 is closed, any audible output is not provided. An
address counter detector 20 senses if the count of the address counter 8 reduces to "0" and, if so,
supplies the signal S2 to the adder 5 to increment the working address of the audible output
storage 1 by one. For example, provided that the decrementing of the address counter 8 is
achieved "N" for a period of time of 200 msec, the code converter 10 supplies the code signal
indicative of "N" to the address counter 8 when the pause codes are PA1. When the pause codes
are PA2, PA3, PA4, PA5 . . . , the code signals indicative of "2N", "3N", "4N" and "SN" are
likewise supplied to the address counter 8. The above procedure puts a temporary stop to the
delivery of the audible sounds. Moreover, when the code output from the audible output storage
1 is blank, the code converter 10 supplies the end signal S2.

The above disclosed arrangement will operate as follows: When the switching device 4 is
turned on, the address counter 2 is loaded with the initial address for the audible output storage 1.
If the count of the address counter 2 agrees with the file address of the storage 1, then the address
counter will overflow and return to "0". With the switching device 4 in the on state, the initial
address Ai of the audible output storage 1 is selected so that the linguistic information codes
"10010111" indicative of "tadaima" are supplied to the output buffer register 6. In reply to those
codes the code converter 10 supplies the leading address identifying signal to the address counter
8 in relation to the region where the sound quantizing information is contained for the audible
sounds "tadaima". Thus, the sounds "tadaima" are delivered. Upon the completion of the delivery
of that audible sounds the adder 5 receives the signal S2 to increment one the count of the
address counter 2. When this occurs, the pause codes PA1 "11000001" are supplied to the output
buffer register 6 to initiate the silent period of 200 msec long. Then, the adder 5 receives the
signal S2 and increments by one the count of the address counter 2 so that the linguistic
information codes "10011000" indicative of "kara" are output from the output buffer register 6.

Through the above mentioned events the audible sounds "tadaima kara goji nijyugofun
wo ashiraseshimasu" are delivered.

While in the above illustrated embodiment the switching device 4 is turned on by the
sound output start signal automatically developed within the interior of the timepiece, it may be
turned on manually in the practice of the present invention.

Since the length of the pause periods is variable by a proper selection of the contents of
the second half (lower 4 bits) of the pause codes, the speed of the voice delivery is also variable
according to the contents to be announced by a proper selection of the second half of the pause
codes.

The pause codes are effective in establishing a short pause during the delivery of a double
consonant such as "ippun" and "roppun" in addition to the above illustrated example. By way of
an example of "ippun" or "roppun" the pause codes PA may be interposed between the linguistic
information "i" or "ro" and the linguistic information "pun". Although in the above embodiment,
the pause codes of different kinds are provided for the establishment of pause periods of different
lengths, only one pause code may be rather employed to establish phase periods of the fixed
length and a combination of a plurality of the common pause code used for a pause period of any
desirable length.

Whereas the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments
thereof, it will be understood that various changes and modifications will be suggested to one
skilled in the art, and it is intended to encompass such changes and modifications as fall within
the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (4)
We claim:
1. An audible output device comprising:
a store means for storing linguistic information codes indicative of words to be audibly
displayed;
a first control means for fetching the linguistic information codes in preselected order from the
store means;
an audible output means responsive to the first control means for deliverying audible words in
accordance with the linguistic information codes fetched from the store means;
a second control means operatively associated with a pause code for allowing the pause code to
be stored within the store means together with the linguistic information codes and fetching the
linguistic information codes and the pause code from the store means in the preselected order of
the words to be audibly displayed and the audible output pause time slots;
and an audible output inhibition means responsive to the pause codes from the store means for
disabling the audible output means for a desired length of time.
2. An audible output device according to claim 1, wherein said linguistic information is
indicative of updated time for timepiece use.
3. An audible output device according to claim 1, wherein said linguistic information is
indicative of an input or an output for calculator use.
4. An audible output device according to claim 1, further comprising a second store means
interposed between said store means and said audible output means for storing sound quantizing
information associated with the
Chapter 3: METHODOLOGY

Methodology is a brief description of the method or procedure used to run the project. Therefore,
we have been discussing the scope of the project. We are also looking for enough information
about the selected project, talking calculator. We also look for problem solving after the survey.
We conducted the project selected based on the research conducted. The grant chart is used to
show the activities carried out during the project period. Among the steps to be explained is:
i. Steps in doing the project
ii. Project-related questionnaire to users
iii. Project sketches
iv. The materials and equipment used during the project
v. Estimated project cost
vi. Project development

3.2 Steps in Conducting the Project

In creating a project, some steps need to be taken into account before the project is
completed. This step should be done carefully so as not to cause problems when the project
ends. Some steps have been taken during this project. The steps are as follows:

3.2.1 Search and select the project title

This is the first step that must be taken before starting the project. The purpose is to
simplify the process of project completion. The selected project title should be appropriate.
After the project has been selected, the project title should be able to attract others to learn
more.

3.2.2 Project-related questionnaires for consumers

After selecting the project title, a questionnaire needs to be done to get the reaction
from the users to the project to be carried out. The questionnaire is done to determine
whether the selected project is suitable for use.

3.2.3 Material selection for the project

After the appropriate title is selected, the steps to go through are selecting the
material. In relation to the project to be made. The materials selected are necessary.
Identified so that it is easy to find and does not cause a problem Great to get it.
3.3 Project-Related Questionnaire

QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear Respondent,
We are conducting a survey on knowledge about “TALLKING CALCULATOR”. The main objective in
our project is for produce scientific talking calculator in low cost. Any information obtained regarding
with this study will remain confidential.
Please answer all questions. Your cooperation to answer those question is very important in helping our
research. Thank you very much for your time and participation.
Best Regard,
Iswerya a/p ramaiya
PART A : RESPONDENT PERSONAL INFORMATION
Please (/) the relevant answer
1. Gender Male Female

2. Age <25 years <25-30 years

<30-35 years <35 years

3. Level of Education Diploma First Degree

Masters Degree PHD

4. Occupation student Housewife

Employer
PART B :
This all question relate about “talking calculator”. This part will have 4 section. Based on your opinion,
please circle each statement that best describe your opinion by referring to the related scale below
Section A- KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

This section is about your knowledge and experience in use “Talking Braille Scientific Calculator”
Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree
My knowledge about “talking 1 2 3 4 5
calculator” is good
My knowledge about how to use 1 2 3 4 5
“talking calculator”
My knowledge about function of 1 2 3 4 5
“talking calculator”
I have experience in user “talking 1 2 3 4 5
calculator”

Section B- DESIGN

This section is about your opinion in our project of design “Talking Braille Scientific Calculator”
Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree
This design is suitable for blind users 1 2 3 4 5
This design is suitable in marketing 1 2 3 4 5
This design is suitable use for all ages 1 2 3 4 5
This design will help blind person 1 2 3 4 5
Do you think this design is 1 2 3 4 5
ergonomic
NOTE: Ergonomic = relating to or designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment or
product design.